Our capabilities

offers a comprehensive range of professional, impartial and high quality measurement services, including specialised and crisis response testing

is a trusted service provider to government, industry and academia, supporting major strategic programs and industry-led research

partners with leading organisations locally and internationally

delivers measurement that is meaningful, impactful and at the forefront of measurement science

We lead metrology in many important areas, from per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) to micro-plastics in water. We apply our range of specialist capabilities and novel technologies to our services. This includes ultra-trace environmental testing for dioxins and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs).

Our certifications and accreditations

We have a strong commitment to quality. Our laboratories hold a range of certifications and accreditations including:

Total recoverable hydrocarbons reporting

Ultra-trace pesticides

We have developed sensitive and highly selective tests to determine a large range of environmentally important pesticides at trace and ultra-trace levels in water and soil.

High resolution measurement and environmental water contamination

We are one of the first laboratories in Australia to use ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC QTOF-MS) technology to screen targeted and non-targeted organic contaminants.

Light hydrocarbons and permanent gases

We use an automated system to analyse light hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane and hexane) to the limits of reporting. These elements are connected to groundwater contamination from coal seam gas extraction.

1,4 Dioxane

We analyse 1,4-Dioxane which is a colourless flammable cyclic ether compound used as a laboratory solvent and in niche industrial applications. It has high mobility and moves rapidly from soil to groundwater.

Low level nutrient in marine and estuarine waters

We test for low level ammonia in fresh and seawaters. This includes ammonia testing for potable, surface, ground, saline, brackish and domestic waters as well as agricultural runoffs, rivers and seawaters.

Aldehydes and ketones in the environment

Aldehydes and ketones are volatile, toxic and hazardous with a high risk of air contamination. We use our methods to monitor workplace air, indoor air, exhaust air and emissions to the atmosphere.

Coal seam gas (CSG)

We offer fit-for-purpose measurement expertise and solutions for environmental impact assessments and regulatory compliance verification covering a full range of chemicals parameters applicable to CSG extraction. You can apply our laboratory-based water and chemical testing capabilities to baseline quality testing of:

groundwater

CSG-produced water

processed water prior to its re-injection, re-use or release to the environment

Nanomaterials

Engineered nanoparticles—particularly in textiles, surface coatings and personal-care products—can enter the environment via domestic and industrial waste water streams. We can detect and characterise nanomaterials and work with you to develop methods to use in complex environmental matrices.

The department acknowledges the traditional owners of the country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures and to the elders past and present.